Briefly

UNITED STATES

1 killed, 3 wounded in gunfire at party

A 17-year-old boy was killed and three others wounded when a fight broke out early on Sunday at a Houston parking lot during a birthday party and multiple people opened fire, authorities said. Two 17-year-old boys and a 14-year-old girl were wounded, the Harris County Sheriff's Office said. No suspects have yet been identified by investigators and it is not known what caused the fight. A birthday party for a 16-year-old girl was taking place at a studio when the fight broke out among several people in the parking lot. A large number of spent shell casings were found in multiple areas of the parking lot following the shooting, authorities said.

NEW ZEALAND

Fishing boat sinks, leaving at least 4 dead

Wild storms lashed New Zealand's North Island on Monday, claiming at least four lives when a fishing vessel sank and causing chaos in the country's biggest city Auckland, officials said. Four bodies were recovered and another person was missing after a chartered fishing boat went down off the remote Northland coast late on Sunday, police said, with five survivors stable. The military sent two air force planes and a naval warship to help the search effort. Highways were closed due to flooding, schools shut after classrooms were inundated and ferry services were suspended amid heavy swells.

PORTUGAL

Nearly 90 small quakes hit Azores archipelago

Authorities in Portugal's Azores archipelago have been placed on alert after nearly 90 small earthquakes hit the mid-Atlantic volcanic island of Sao Jorge in a little over 24 hours, though there have been no reports of damage. Sao Jorge's Urzelina volcano last erupted in 1808 and Azores' Civil Protection authority has requested an evaluation by experts from the region's volcanic surveillance center. Civil Protection said in a statement that it had already contacted local mayors and fire units, asking them to "remain vigilant" and help the people of Sao Jorge if needed. The seismic activity began on Saturday afternoon, and authorities have urged people to stay calm, stay informed and follow the recommendations of officials.

Agencies - Xinhua